trouble breathing

Question
QUESTION: My pet rat is having problems breathing....climbing the cage to reach higher ground..biting the bars.  She is very anxious and I can't get her to a vet until the weekend.  Is there ANYTHING I can give her/do for her?  I heard that some people give rats tiny doses of children's decongestants?  Would that be alright, to help her breath?  Is there anything I can do to increase the amount of oxygen she recieves (putting a fan on).  I do no have a humidifyer...please help.

ANSWER: Hi Laura


You can try taking her in the bathroom while running a steamy shower, that may help open up her airways some.

I am afraid though that the biting of the bars and being anxious is a last ditch effort to breathe and the weekend may be too late. She needs kept in an oxygenated environment and on aggressive antibiotics (having medication nebulized in to the enclosure to get the meds into her lungs fast)

You can also try to give her a small piece of bakers chocolate. Believe it or not it contains a chemical that acts like a Bronchodilator so this may provide a bit of relief.  Have you read my website? I believe there is an article I wrote a while back about respiratory problems and chronic lung disease etc.... the url is on my profile.

You need to also keep him hydrated too. Is he drinking and eating and resting at all?

This may sound off the wall but do you have access to valium or any anti anxiety drug or any drug that is used for asthma?  

let me know right away...

If you need I can also find an ER clinic for you.

I will be back to check for a follow up from you. Hang in there!

Sandra

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for responding...
I've tried the shower, it seems to quiet her down a bit.  She is resting, drinking, and eating a bit...even though she does look like she's lost some weight.  As far as anxiety medication, I have something called Gen Paroxetine which come in 20 MG tablets.  What do you think?  Have you heard about giving them sudafed, or anything of that nature.  I read an article about children's, non-drowsy, sudafed...only administering .5mg or so???  Thanks for you help again

Answer
No, rats cant have Gen Paroxetine so thats out.

As for the sudafed etc....it may help loosen up some mucus ...there are a few drugs she can take for that.
I need to know her weight first though and I can get back to you. If she is eating ok, thats good, keep pushing fluids too and again if you have a bit of chocolate, offer her that too.

Let me know about what she weighs and I will figure a dose for her using an over the counter med so maybe we can clear her nose up.  I feel its probably in her lungs though so push the fluids alot. This actually helps with pneumonia.